Arrangement for disconnecting switching equipment from telephone lines



Feb. 13, 1951 F kESSLER 2,541,589

ARRANGEMENT FOR' DISCONNECTING SWITCHING EQUIPMENT FROM TELEPHONE LINES Filed Oct. '7, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet l FRANK KESSLER ATTORNEY KEssLER ARRANGEMENT FOR DISOONNEOTING SWITOHINO EQUIPMENT FROM TELEPHONE LINES Feb. 13, 1951 5 Sheets-Shea.; 2

Filed OCT.. '7, 1947 INVENTOR.

FRANK KESSLER N .w I

CON

ATTORNEY y 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 F. KESSLER ARRANGEMENT FOR DISCONNECTING swITcHING EQUIPMENT FROM TELEPHONE LINES m m mOm Feb. 13, 1951 Filed oct. 7, 1947 mmm INVENTOR.

K ESSLER ATTORNEY 4FRANK Patented Feb. 13, 1951 ARRANGEMENT FOR DISCONNECTING SWITCHING EQUIPMENT FROM TELE- PHONE LINES Frank Kessler, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Automatic Electric Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application October 7, 1947, Serial No. 778,486

10 Claims.

The present invention relates in general t improvements in telephone systems and more particularly to improved arrangements for testing telephone lines.

In order to facilitate the testing of the various lines which enter a telephone exchange it is usual to provide in the exchange a centralized test desk and automatic switching apparatus by means of which it is possible to extend a test circuit from the test desk directly t0 the conductors of any desired one of the lines. Facilities of this character ordinarily include some arrangement for clearing a line of attachments, i. e., for disconnecting from the line under test that part of the exchange equipment which is normally connected to the line conductors of such line and which, if permitted to remain connected thereto, would adversely aiect the test.

While the arrangements which heretofore have been provided for clearing a line of attachments are quite satisfactory under most conditions encountered in practice they usually are totally ineffective in the presence of certain abnormal conditions. If, for example, a connection is extended from the test desk to a line at a time when a permanent condition exists upon that line due to its conductors accidentally having become bridged and/or grounded, the conventional arrangements will not disconnect the exchange `equipment attached to the line conductors, and 5 accordingly itis not possible to perform a satisfactory test upon the line over the connection extended thereto from the test desk.

The present invention is an improvement on the invention described in Patent No. 2,371,989 issued March 20, 1945, to Morris E. Grifns et al., and it is the general object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved arrangement for clearing a line of attachments, not only under normal conditions, but under the abnormal conditions noted.

The accidental bridging and/or grounding of a line simulates a calling condition and may be of such nature that it operates the line equipment and results in the extension 0f a connection from the lineto switching equipment Which is common to a group of lines. The faulty condition may b'e of such nature that it will not operate the line equipment but it will hold equipment common to a group of lines in case an attempt is made to extend a call to or from the faulty line. It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved arrangement for breaking downa connection thus extended or held.

' yIt may be noted 1n Grins 2,371,989 that a separate battery is used for releasing the line relay of held switching equipment, and that the release of the line relay is effected by energizing its windings differentially. This separate battery is connected t0 the test conductors through contacts of a key at the test desk and remains con'- nected to the test conductors as long as the connecting key is operated. The amount of current now from 'the separate battery that can now over the test conductors in case a very low resistance fault is encountered is limited by xed resistors through which the battery connections are taken.

It is another object of the present invention to use the same battery from which the switching equipment is operated for clearing a subscriber line of attachments under the abnormal conditions noted.

It is another object of the present invention t0 provide for connecting the exchange battery to the test conductors at a point intermediate of the test desk and the switching equipment which is to be released.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide for automatically disconnecting exchange battery from the test conductors immediately after the held switching equipment is released.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide means for limiting the current flow from exchange battery connected to the test conductors to a predetermined amount and if such limit is reached to reduce the current Iiow to a relatively low value. According to one feature of the invention the arrangement is suitable for clearing a permanent line of attachments even though the test desk is located at a remote point from the switching equipment. y

According to another feature of the invention a relay, operated only in case a busy condition is encountered on the line to which a connection is extended, controls the connection of exchange battery to the test conductors.

According to another feature of the invention a change over relay used to control circuits to the vertical and rotary magnets of a switch is also used for guarding a line from which switching equipment has been disconnected. r

According to a further feature of the invention a conductor used for impulsing control is also used to control the connection of exchange battery to the test conductors.

' According to another feature of the invention a conductor used for supervisory control is also w used to control the connection of exchange battery to the'test conductors.

I'he foregoing objects and features of the invention will be understood better and other` objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, comprising Figures 1 to 3 inclusive which forms a part thereof, showing the invention as applied to the well known Strowger step by step system. It will be understood, however, that this arrangement is described by way of example only, that various modifications may be made in the circuit details. by those skilled' in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention can be applied to other systems.

Referring now to the drawing comprising vFigures 1 to 3 inclusive Figure 1 shows diagram,-V matically part of the common equipment at a test desk and equipment for connecting it to an individual test distributor.

Figure 2 shows the circuit of a test distributor for use with the equipment in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a test connector for operation with the test distributor in Figure 2, a line and a circuit therefore, and a finder-selector link for use in extending connections from the line.

The drawing is to be assembled with Figure 1 on the left, Figure 2 in the center and Figure 3 on the right.

The common equipment shown in the lower portion of Figure 1 is arranged for connection to various trunk equipments on the test desk over the conductors CI|, C|2 and CIS. The trunk equipment |00A shown in the upper portion of Figure 1 is individual to the test distributor shown in Figure 2 and is connected thereto over the conductors C|4 to C|'| inclusive and is connected to the common equipment by the operation of the key |60. The equipment Yshown in Figure 1 may be part of any conventional telephone type test desk but vis preferably of the type described in the co-pending application of Frank Kessler, Serial No. 774,495, filed September 17, 1947.

The test distributor 200 shown in Figure 2 is a conventional two motion Stowger type switch arranged for connection to test'connectors, such as test connector 300, by means of the wipers 20| -to 206 inclusive. The test distributor is somewhat similar to the test distributor described in the co-pending application of Frank Kessler Serial No. 774,495, filed September 17, 1947., differing mainly in the arrangement for releasing switching equipment associated with a faulty line. It may be noted that with relays 250 and 290 operated and with relays 260 and 280 normal negative battery is connected through armature 226, lower winding of the relay 2.25, armature 221, resistor 249, and armatures 26|, 25|., 28| and 29| to the wiper 20| and that direct ground is connected through armatures 262, 252, 282 and 292 to the wiper 202. This arrangement permits conductors to which the wipers 20| and 202 are extended to be effectively short circuited as will be fully described hereinafter.

The test connector 300 in Figure 3 is one of a number of test connectors which terminate in the banks of the test distributor 200, and is simil'ar to the test connector described in the abovementioned copending Kessler application which may be seen for a detailed description thereof.

The line 305 in Figure 3 is connected through the protecting equipment 306 and 307 to a line circuit comprising the line' relay 3|0 and the cutoff relay 320. The conductors of the line 305 terminate in contacts 3|4, 3|5 and 3|@ in the bank of test connector 300 and are multipled to similar contacts in the regular subscriber controlled connectors (not shown) by means of which calls are, extended to the various lines. The substation 304 associated with the line 305 may be any standard type equipped with the usual talking and signalling instrumentalities and with a calling device suitable for operating Aautomatic switching equipment. The switching equipment includes links such as 360 which comprises ay nder switch having access to calling lines and a. selector switch having access to called lines over a train of one or more subsequent switches, depending on the number of lines in y the system. Reference may be had to Patent No.

2,214,908, .issued September 17, 1940, to C. E. Lomax et al., for additional details of one suitable form of finder-selector link.

The general procedure involved in making tests upon various lines `is fully set forth in the copending Kessler application, Serial No. 7 74,495J filed September 17, 1947. The procedure for connecting the test desk through distributor 200 to the line 305 will now be vdescribed in detail.

The operation of the key prepares a circuit to the lamp |09 at spring |6|, closes an ob-A vious circuit to the relay |25 at spring |62, connects conductor C|2 to conductor C|4 at spring |63, connects conductor C|| to conductor CIB at spring |64, and connects conductors C13 to larmatures |45 and |36 at spring |65. 'The relay |125 operates and at armature |26 lights the lamp |06, prepares a circuit to the lamp |09 at armature |27, connects battery through the winding of the relay |35, contacts |43 and armature |28 to conductor CIS, and closes a circuit fro-rn ground through armatures |29 and |3| and the winding of the relay |50 to battery. The relay |59 operates, at armature |5| closing :another circuit to the. lamp |08 and at armature |52 connectingground through the winding of the relay to conductor C| 1. The relay 220 is energized from battery through its upper winding, contacts 212, 'conductor'Cl4', armature |4I, spring |63, conductor C12, spring inductance |04, lower contacts, the impulsing contacts, of the dial |02, spring H6, conductor C||,v spring |164, armature |42, conductor C|5 contacts 2|4, and lower winding of therelay 220 to ground. The relay 220 operates connecting ground through armature `22| to armature 293 and closing a circuit from yground at armature 222 to the .relay 230. The relay 230,` operates, at armature V23| closes a circuit :from ground through spring 228; and the winding .of the relay 230 to battery, at armature 2,32 pre pares the irnpulsing circuits -to` the stepping magnets and associatedv control relays, at armature 233 connects ground through of'normal spring 238 and the lower winding of the relay 240 to battery, atA armature 234 disconnects RLS. GRD.` from off normal spring 239, and at armature. 235 grounds lthe RM. ST. lead to control associated common equipment. VThe relay 230 opcrates, at armature 23|J Aopens an incomplete circuit for the relay 2,80, atr armature 232 prepares a holding circuit `for itself, at armature 233' prepares a circuit for the rotary magnet,v ROT., and at armature 234- prepares a .circuit for the lower winding of the jrelay 290. The re-'g lay 24'0 operates, at armature-242 opens the, i-n`- complete circuit to the rotary magnet ROT., atl armature 243 preparesv -a circuit to. its upper winding and the vertical magnet VERT. in multiple, and closes its other armature thev functions of which will be described subsequently.

The test distributor 200 may now be connected to the test connector 300 under control of the dial |02. When the dial |02 is moved off normal the three upper contacts are closed andrelay l0 is operated from ground. Relay i0 short circuits the inductance |04 to improve impulsing. Ground is connected throughY the upper contact of the dial through spring |2|, conductor CI3, and spring |65 to armatures |45 and |36 for a purpose which will subsequently be described. As the dial |02 restores to normal the relay 226 follows the impulses generated at the two lower contacts of the dial |02 and at armature 222 alternately closes and opens a circuit to the vertical magnet VERT. and the upper winding of the relay 240. The vertical magnet VERT. moves the wipers 26| to 236 inclusive to the level in which the contacts 2| tc 26 inclusive are 1ocated. The circuit tothe relay 230 is interrupted during impulsing but the relay 230 is slow to release and does not restore at this time. On

y the rst operation of the vertical magnet VERT.

the oif normal spring 238 is opened thus opening the circuit to the lower winding of the relay 240. The relay 240 is slow to release and is held operated by its upper winding energized in multiple with the'vertical magnet VERT. After the dial |02 restores to normal the relay 220 remains operated and the relay 240 releases, preparing a circuit at armatures 24'2 and 243 for the rotary Y magnet ROT. The relay 229 follows the impulses of the next digit alternately closing and opening .a circuit to the rotary magnet ROT. from ground through armatures 222, 232 and 243, spring 229, 'and armatures 242 and 233', and closing a circuit to the relays 24'5 from ground through arma- 1 tures 222, 232 and 243. The rotary magnet ROT.

,245 operates on the first closure of the armature 222y and remains operated, because of its slow release feature, while the impulses of one digit are being received. The relay 245 on operating opens the incomplete circuit to the lower winding of the relay 290 at armature 241 and closes a holding circuit for the relay 339 from ground through armature 23|, operated spring 228, armature 241 and armature 232. After the dial |02 restores to normal the relay 229 remains operated and the relay 245 restores, opening a circuit to the relay 238 and preparing a circuit to the lower winding of the relay 299 at armature 241. The relay 230 isslow to release and will not restore until shortly after the relay 245 restores.

If the test connector 390 is idle battery through contact 26, wiper 295, lower winding of relay 290, armatures 234 and 241, operated spring 228 and armature 23| to ground energizes the lower winding of the relay 299 operating the armature 291, which closes a circuit from battery through the upper winding of the relay 290 to ground at armature 233. The relay 269 operates in full when its upper winding is energized and at armatures 29|, 292, 293, 295 and 296 connects up the wipers to 295 respectively, at armature 299 disconnects the B. T. lead, at armature 294 prepares a circuit for the relay 230,'and at armature 298 disconnects the release magnet 263. The relay 330 restores, opens its holding circuit at armature 323', opens a 6 circuit to the rotary magnet ROT. at armature 233 and opens the circuit to the lower winding of the relay 290 at armature 234.

If the test connector 309 is busy battery is not encountered on the contact 26 and the relay 290 does not operate. When the relays 245 and 230' restore the relay 230 operates from battery through its winding, armatures 294 and 23|',

spring 228 and armature 23| to ground. The re-4 lay 280 connects tone from the B. T. lead through condenser 259, armatures 299, and 28|, resistor 236, condenser 233 and conductor C|4 to the telephone |0| to signal the test desk, connects battery through resistor 258, armatures 283, 212 and 246, contacts 2|1, conductor CIG, armature |28, contacts |43 and the winding of the relay |35 to ground, and closes a holding circuit to itself at armature 284.

Assume now that connection with the test connector` 300 was established when the test connector was idle and that the relay 236 is operated. The relay 220 responds to the impulses of the next digit closing and opening a circuit to the relay 245 at armature 222 and opening and closing ground on conductor C33 at armature 22 The ground pulses from armature 22# transmitted to the test connector 300 through armature 293, wiper 203, contact 23 and conductor C33 serve to operate the vertical magnet of the test connector and lift the Wipers 30| 302 and 363 to the level corresponding to the dialed digit. The relay 245 operates on the iirst impulse and remains operated while the remaning impulses of the digit are received. The relay 280 is operated from battery through its winding, armatures 294 and 241, spring 228 and armature 23| to ground, but has no function to perform at this time. When the dial restores to normal the relay 220 remains operated and the relay 245 restores opening the circuit to the relay 280 at armature 241, thus allowing the relay 280 to restore. The relay 220 responds to the impulses 'of the next digit, the opening and closing of ground at armature 22| serving to operate the rotary magnet of the test connector 300 and move wipers 30|, 362 and 303 to the contacts corresponding t0 the dialed digit. The relays 245 and 289 are operated as before, the relay 280 connecting battery through the winding of the relay 259, armatures 285 and 296, wiper 205, contact 25, conductor C35 through the test connector 309 to the wiper 303, and opening circuits from the conductors C 4 and C| 5 to the wipers 20| and 202 at' armatures 28| and 282.

At the rst closure of the rotary magnet circuit in the test connector 306 ground is connected over conductor C34, contact 24, wiper 234, armatures 295 and 214, through the lower winding of the relay 265 to battery. The relay 265 operates and locks itself in multiple with the relay 289 through armature 266 and at armature 261 differentially energizes the two windings of the relay 230. The relay 210 operates only the armature 273 when thus energized. After the dial restores to normal the relay 229 remains operated and the relay 245 restores, opening circuits to the relays 265 and 230 at armature 241. The relay 265 restores and disconnects ground from the upper winding of the relay 2.10 at armature 261. The two windings of the relay 210 are now energized in series from bat' t'ery through the upper winding, through the lower winding and through armatures 218 and 233 armatures 212 and 246, contacts '2|1, 'conductor amines;

G1 aarmature |28., contactgfles and t'he'fwinding of the relay |35lto ground. vBattery .through the winding of the relay 250,.resst'or 256, armature 213, lconductor CH, .winding of `the relay |55 to ground at armature |52 energizes the Vrelays |55 and 260 in series. At .armature 274 the flower winding of the relay 255 is disconnected romt-he wiper 204 to prevent .further operation .of therelay 255 and at armature 2`|6Ja 'circuit to theflowe'r winding of the relay v240 is :prepared .for control purposes which will be described hereinafter;

The vrelay 23|] 'on 'restoring prepares circuits from conductors C|4 and C|5 to wipers '20| and 202 at armatures 28| and 282 and at armature 285 opens a circuit :from the wiper 205 to the winding of the relay'250. rlherelay 250 operatesinvcase the test connector 300 is connected .to .the bank contacts of a busy line, the busy condition being 'indicated by ground on a bank contact such .as

The relay 250 closes'a the :bank contact 3|6. holding circuit for itself at armature 254 and remains operated as long as the busy condition persists. The functions of the relay 250 will be fully Vdescribed hereinafter. The relay 260 energized over a .previously traced circuit operates and at armature 262 connects .ground through armature 254, in case .the relay 250 is not open ated, contacts 285, armature 295 wiper 205, contact 25, conductor C35, wiper 303, bank contact 3|6, armature 3|| and the winding of the relay 320 to battery. Ground `on the contact 3|6 .is extended over multiple connections to similar bank contacts to make the line 305 busy, Aand the cut-oi;relay 320 is operated to clear the line 365 of attachments. The relay 2|0 energized over a previously traced circuit operates armature 2|8 closing a circuit from battery through .the lower Winding of the relay 2|0 and armatures 2 I8 Yand. 233 to ground. The relay 2|0 .operates in full when its lower winding is energized and, at arma ture 2|6, vconnects battery through the wiper Winding of the relay 220 over conductor C|6 to ground through the winding of the relay |35 to hold the relays 220 and |35 operated, at contacts 2 disconnects the upper winding of the relay 2|0 from conductor CIG., at armature 2|| con'- nects conductor C 4 through armatures '25 I, A'-28 i .and 29| to wiper 20|, at armature 2|3 connects conductor C| through armatures 252, 202 'and 292-to wiper 202, and at contacts k2|2 and 2|'4disconnects the windings of the relay 220 from'cone ductors CM and C|5.

The test desk is now connected directly to th line 305 and any of the regular testing operations may be performed. Should the tester desire to move `the wipers of the test connector to the bank contacts of another line the dial |02 is operated .energizing the relays |30 and |40 in series from battery through the winding of relay |30, winding of the relay |40, armature |36, spring |65, conductor C|3, spring |2| to ground at the upper contacts of the dial |02. The Vrelays |30 and |49 operate, the relay |30 having no function to 'perform at this time. The relay |40 closes a holding circuit to itself at armature |45, closes azholding circuit to the relay |50 at `armature |44, opens a circuit to the relay at contacts |43, and closes an impulsing circuit to the upper Winding of the relay 22|) which may be traced from battery through the upper winding of the relay 220, armature 2|5, .conductor C|6 arma'- tures |28 and |42, spring |54, conductor CII,

spring H6, lower contacts of the dial |02, arma` ture v|||, spring conductor `C|2, spring |53; .and armature |4| toground lThe relay220 -folm -iws tneimplsesrfrom the icwereontacts ffne rdial |02 `and at varmature 322| uop'erat'estl-ie 'test connector 300 as previouslydescribed. At armee ture 222 the relay :245 is operated and in 'turn operates the Srelay 280 which .disconnects the 'corrductors AC|4 .andCl5 from :the wipers 20| and l202 and connects the relay 250 to the wiper .303150 provide .for l*a busy test of the line to which the test connector 3'00 `is next connected. vvAiterLtl-re dial restores `to normal the relays |30 'and :|40 restore vand the relays |35 and T220 are operated in .series over a previously traced circuit. It may be noted that the conductor C|3 is-.used foriine pulsing control purposeswhen the test connector is operated :as described above.

...Incase aline is busy ground is lencountered on a bank contact such as the bank-contact -3|5-. During impulsing 'the Yrelays 245 V`and 280 are operated, as l.previously described, and Ybatters" through the winding ofthe relay l250, armatures '285 and 296, wiper 205, contact 25 and conductor C35 fis extended through the test connector 3D0 to the wiper 303. When ground is vencountered on a bank contact, such as the bank contact 3I6, the .relay 250 operates and `prepares a holding circuit for itself `at armature 254. When therelay 230 restores, after impulsing, the relay 250 .is held from ground through wiper 303, contacts 266 and armature 254. .The relay 260 energized inseries with the resistor 256 and the relay |55 as previa ously described operates, but the relay |55 will not voperate in series with the resistor 256. .After impulsing, the relay 245 restores and close' s l a circuit to the upper winding of the `rel-ay 2|0 which operates as previously described.v The Ydi'- rect circuit from conductors C|4 and C|5 to wipers 20| and 202 is now openedvat armatures 25| and 252. However, a circuitsuitablefor voice current is provided through condensers 223 and 224 and resistors 236 and 231. The resistor .255. is short circuited at armature 253 allowing the relay |55 to operate thus closing a circuitV to `the lamp |09 at armature |55. The lamp |09 .indie cates to the tester the busy conditionrfo'f the `line with which connection has been established. vli the line to which connection has beenjes'tablished becomes free ground is disconnected front the wiper 303 and the relay v250 restores. f Ihe short circuit .is removed-from theresistor ZSSthuSjcaii'S- ing the relay |55 to restore Aand extinguish the. lamp |09. Ground througharmatures .262 and 254 is extended to wiper 303 to make 'the .line busy and the testing circuitis completed at armatures 25| and 252. It may be noted that'the condition of a line lto which a connection is estabi lished is extended to the test desk under control of the relay 250 and over the conductor CI'I.

After the tester hasextended la connection 'over the test switch trainto aline in the way described.v

and has received an indication -that the line tests busy, if no conversation is heard through the transmission circuit provided through conden-l sers 223 and 224 he may wish to preed with the usual line tests. The present inventionprovides an arrangement rby means of which the tester can remove the busy condition of the 'line under test even though the test desk Imay be located at a relatively great distance from the exchange in which the line-under test terminates.

As is well known a permanent may result fromthe line conductors being accidentally bridged as shown at X, from one of the conductors .being aceicidentally grounded as shown -at Y, or `from fa combination of these two causes.

It will -bease sinned in'order to describe 'the invention (the line;`

9 305 has become bridged as shown at X and that the resistance of the bridge is low enough to oper.- ate either the relay 3|0 or the relay 340. With the relay 320 normal a circuit may be traced from battery through the winding of the relay 3|0, armature 32|, upper conductor of line 335, bridge X, lower conductor of line 305, and armature 322 to ground. The relay 3|0 operates, grounding the contact 3| 6 at armature 3| I to make the line busy, connecting battery through the winding of the relay 320 and armature 3|2 to contact 325 to mark the line 305, and connecting ground through amature 3|3 to the distributor 3 10 to start a inder switch searching for the marked line.

Assume that the distributor has connected with the nder of the link 360 over a hunter switch 31| and that the iinder will move its wipers 335, 336 and 331 until they engage the bank contacts 326, 324 and 325 respectively. Thereupon, as is well known, the movement of the wipers is halted, and switching relay 330 is operated by ground, connected for a brief interval to conductor C31. Relay 330 upon operating completes a circuit from ground on conductor C31, armatures 334/ and 333, wiper 331, contact 325, armature 3 l2 and the winding of the relay 320 to battery and completes a circuit from battery through the upper winding of the relay 340, armature 33|, wiper 325, contact 326, upper conductor of line 305, bridge X, lower conductor of line 305, contact 324, Wiper 336 and the lower winding of the relay 340 to ground. Relay 320 operates, disconnects the winding of the relay 3 0 from the line 305 at armature 32 I, disconnects ground from the line 305 at armature 322 and closes a holding circuit to itself at armature 323. The relay 340 operates and closes an obvious circuit to the relay 350 which operates and at armature 35| closes holding circuits to relays 330 and 320. Relay 3|0 restores and the busy condition of the line 305 is maintained by ground from armatures 35| and 333, wiper 331, contact 325, and armatures 323 and 3| to contact 3 |6.

It should be mentioned that certain known arrangements, for example the one shown in Lomax et al. 2,214,908 depart from the mode of operation just described in that the relay 340 is operated over a pre-energizing circuit (not shown) before the contacts 33| and 332 are closed. When this practice is followed the said pre-energizing circuit is opened after the line 305 has been switched through to'relay 343 at contacts 33| and 332, so that relay 340 is held over the line loop as described. The operation of the relay 350 occurs before ground is removed from conductor C31, so that, upon such removal, relays 330 and 32.0 are held'operated from ground at armature 35|.

lIt will be appreciated that the operations described heretofore, which have taken place as a result of line 305 becoming bridged at X, vare exactly the same as would have taken place if a call had been originated by removing the receiver at substation 304. The' apparatus will remain in the condition described as long as the bridge at X persists or until corrective measures are taken.

Assume now that the link 360 is held by the bridge Xy on the line 305 at the time the tester extends a connection to the line 305 by meansl of test distributor 200'and test connector 300. The relay 250 is operated from ground on contact 3|6 and the relays |55 and 260 are operated in series over the conductor C|1. The relays 245 and 280 'restore after the impulses ofthe nal digit have been received whereupon the relay 2|!)- the relays |30 and |40.

f lay 3|0 to the line 305 at armature 32|.

operates as previously described and a transmission circuit is completed through condensers 223 and 224. The tester is signalled by the'lamp |09 and hearing no conversation decides that the line is held by a fault. In order to release the switching equipment held by the line 305 the tester operates the key |20 connecting ground through resistor |01, spring |2|, conductor C|3, spring |65, armature |36 and the windings of relays |40 and |30 to battery. Relay |40 does not operate when energized in series with resistor |01. Relay |30, however, operates and opens the circuit to the relay |50 at armature 3|. The relay |50 restores and opens the circuit to the relays |55 and 260 at armature' |52. The relay 260 restores and a circuit may now be traced from bat-f tery through armature 226, lower winding of re lay 225, armature 221, resistor 249, armatures 26|, 25|, 28| and 29|, wiper 20|, contact 2|, conductor C3|, wiper 30|, contact 3| 4, contact 326, wiper 325 and armature 33| to the upper winding of the relay 340 and another circuit may be traced from ground through armatures 262, 252, 282 and 292, wiper 202, contact 22, conductor C32, wiper 302, contact 3|5, contact 324, wiper 326 and armature 332 to the lower winding of the relay 340. The resistance of the lower winding of the relay 225 and the resistor 249 is very low and thus effectivelythe full voltage of the exchange battery is connected to both terminals of the upper winding o f the relay 340 and direct ground is connected to both terminals of the lower winding of the relay 340. The relay 340 releases as little ifv any current can ilow through its windings and the circuitvto the relay 350 is` opened at armature 34|. The relay 350 restores and vat, armature 35|,opens the holding circuits to the relays330 vand 320 and disconnects ground from contact 3|6, opening the circuit to the re# lay 350. The link 360 releases in well known manner and the windings of the relay 340 are disconnected from the line 305 at armatures 33| and 332 and at ywipers 335 and 336. The relay 320 restores and connects the winding of the re- The relay 3|0 is prevented from operating in series with the bridge X by the negative battery which is still connected through the wiper 30| to the upper conductor of the lineA 305.

The relay 260 on restoring closed a circuit from ground through armatures 263, 216 and 255 and the lower winding of the relay 240 to battery# The relay 240 operates and, at armature 244-, closes a multipleholdi'ng circuit to itself, and, at armature 24| 'prepares-a circuit for thel cut oil relay 320. Shortly afterground has been removed from contact-3|6 "by the restoration of the armature 35| the relay 250 restores. The relay 250' on releasing' disconnects battery from the upper conductor vof the`line"305 at armature 25|, disconnects ground from the lower conductor of the line 3055-at 'armature 252,rern'o'ves the short circuit from the resistor 256 at armature .253 and completes a circuit from ground through armature 24| and 254, contacts 285, armature 296, wiper 205, contact 25, conductor C35, wiper 303, contact 3|6, armature 3|| and the winding of the relay 320 to battery. The relay 320 operates and disconnects ther winding of the relay 3|0 and ground from the line 305 at armatures 32|and322.

Restoration of the key |20, opens the circuit to The relay |30 restores closing a circuit to the relay I 50 at armature |31. The relay |50 operates and connects ground ductor CH, armatura 2.1.3, resistor 256 .and the winding of the relay 260 to,A battery; The `relay 1,55- does not operate-butthe .relay 260 operates, opening a circuit to the lower winding of the relayl 240 at armature 263; and closing a multiple holdingv circuit tol thev relay 320 at armature 262. V'I'he relay 240 restores shortly after its. circuitisf'opened at armature 263 `disconnecting a multiple ground from. the relay 320 at armature 24|'. ConductorsCfM and` C15 are-.now connected toy the line `305- througharmatures; 25|A and. 252 and the. usual line tests may Anow be made.v

i Itmay be noted thatV the conductor C|3 is usedto control impulsing under `certain conditions'and is also used to effect? the connectionrof battery and ground tothe wipers 20| and 202 and `thusfto Ya line with which the test-connector 200 has beenconnected, and .thatvtheconductor Cll is used to.- control the relay |55 thus operating. the lamp for supervisory purposes Vand that is also used to control the relay 260 and thus effect-thecon-nectionof battery and ground toifthewipers Y2 0|.V andl .202. It may also be` noted that'the relay 250V controls'the -lamp- |01 by means of the relay I=55ancl -thezresistor4 256 and also con.- trols the connection Aof battery and groundY to the wipers and. 202, that the relay 250 will disconnectv battery and ground from the wipers 20|` Vand :20.2 Shortly after the busy condition of aline under test has been removed, and that the change ofver'relay 240. which controlsthe circuits to the' vertical magnet VERT. and the rotary magnet@ ROT. ot the: test `distributor' 200 is also used as a guarding relay when ahbusy condition is removed by Vappl-ying `battery land ground to the test conductors.

vIn `caseadirect.- ground has accidentally been connected to the upper conductorof-l theline 305 in'` the; immediate. v-icinity'of the switching equipf mentor incase an extremely low resistance bridgeL is connected across the line 305 theA current flowing through: the lower winding of the relay 225 may reachga very high valueV without effecting the release of the relay 340. Thev relayV 225,-can-1be adjusted to-operate. when the current owi-ng through its lower winding reaches a pre-- determined val-ue,fwhich for' yexample might be two amperes. The: relay 225'operatesarmature- 226- i'irst. and connects battery through its. center winding which in turnv further operates the relay opening the armature. 22.1 and energizing the upper Winding of the `relay 225. The. upper winding 4of the relay 225l is;` of relatively high. resistance. and will limit the. current ow over the. upper test conductor andthro'ugh'. wiper 20|. to arsafe amount, which-.may beI only a.v few .milli amperes.

The' conductors C 4C |5,r C I6v andCI-l. may be conductors. connecting twor different'. exchanges and-may therefore be: relatively long. and. have considerable resistance. The tesi; distributor 200 and thet testv connector 300 are a part of the switchingequipmentin the exchange terminating the line 305, therefore: the resistance inthe test conductors from operated armatures and 25-2'to1the rline 305 is quitezlowv and will have. little eiect on" releasingY switchingl equipment, vsuch* as link330, which has become .connected -witha line. suchasthe-.linexf It may be noted that when a connection has been--set lup-.f-rom the common equipment in Figure` 1 through test distributor 200 and test. con= at. armature |52 and. in. series-.with resistor 256er previously described. Ground from. armature 262., through armature r254, contacts .286,r arma.- ture. 295, wiper 205, contactl, conductor 35 .and wiper. 303 is connected to the contact3|6 to make the-line busy, and extends through armature 31|. and the winding of the relay 320 to battery., The relay 320 operates anddisconnects. the relay 3|0 and ground from the line at` armatures- 32| and 322 respectively. Operation'v of the key |20v opcrates the relay |30 as previously described thus opening the circuit toy the relay |50` which restores and opens the.V circuit-to theA relay 260 at armaturev |52. The relay 26:0 restores and opens thecircuitto. the relay 320at armature 262- The relay 320 restoresand connects the relay 3I0 and ground. to the line 305. atarmatures. 321| and 322 respectively. A circuitr may now be traced from battery through the winding of theV relay 310., armature 32|, contact 3|4, wiper 30|, conductor C3.|, contact 2|, wiper 20|, armatures 29|, 28|, 25| and 2 I I, conductor CM, armature |4.|, spring |53, conductor C.|2, spring inductancey |04', lower contacts of dial |02, spring H6, conductor CH, spring |64, armature. |42, cond-uctor Gl, armatures 2|3, 252, 282 and 292, wiper 202, contact22, conductor C32, wiper 302, contact 3|5. and armature. 322 to ground. The. relay 3|0 operates` and at armature 3 3 closesa circuit to distributor 31.0 causing ay link such as the. link 360 to con.- nectto theline 305v inwell known manner.. When a link such as the linky 3.30 is. connected lto the line `305 `.the relay 330 operates and connects the line-relay 340,.in.multiple.with therelay 3 I0. The rela-y .340' operates. closing a circuit. to.- the .relay 350 at armature 34|. The relay 350 operates. closing a, holding circuit. for the relay 330 at. armature 35|.. Thev relay 320 operated from ground through. armaturey 333, wiper 37|., contact 325, arma-ture. 3|72 and. winding` of relay 320 to battery, closesitsholding circuit .atarmature 323; andopens the circuit to the: relay 3|.0 at armatures 32| and 322. The relay 340 is now oper.- ated. in series with the lower contacts. of the dialy |02 andmay be operated under. control of. the dial |02 to extend. the connection through the regular switching equipment. The circuit. for direct ground from the. upper contacts of the dialr |02 to the relay |40 is. openV at spring |21. to prevent impulses from being transmitted to the relay 220 at this time.. The circuit to the dial |02 may be taken through a key, not shown, so thattherelay 340 andassociated switching equipment. may be released. after it is operated fromthe test desk. After the..switching equipment-is. released the key |20 may be restored to releasethe relay |30. A circuit to the relay |50 is closedv atarmature .ISI and the relay |50 operates closing a circuit at armaturey |52 to the relayY 260., The relay 250. operates and connects lground throughv armature 2.52 to contact 3&6. and the relay 320 to make the line. 3.05V busy.. The testingcircuit is nowl connected to the line 305 in the: usual manner and testing operations may beperformed as desired;

Having described the invention what is con-V sidered to be new and is desired. to be protected by Letters Patent. will be. setiorth in the follow ing claims.

What is claimed is 1. In. a telephone system, a 1ine switching: equipment releasably connected to said line, testi conductors and means for connecting them to said line, arelayoperated in response to the con nection of said testconductors tof-:said vlinef,..:a.=y

said lines, a relay operated in the course of con` necting said test equipment to a line, means for releasing said relay, connecting means for connecting switching equipment to a line to which said test equipment is connected, said connecting means being operative responsive to the release of said relay and being effective in case switching equipment is not connected to said line at the time said relay is released, and means for releasing switching equipment connected to a line, said last means being responsive to the release of said relay and being effective in case switching equipment is connected to said last line prior to the connection of said test equipment thereto.

3. In a telephone system, lines, switching equipment for connection to said lines, test equipment for connection to said lines, a key for controlling the connection of switching equipment to a line in case said test equipment is connected thereto, means responsive to the operation of said key for releasing switching equipment from a line in case said switching equipment is connected to said line prior to the connection of said test equipment thereto, and means responsive to the operation of said key for connecting switching equipment to a line in case said test equipment is connected to said line prior to the connection of switching equipment thereto.

4. In a telephone system, lines which may be idle or busy, a test desk and conductors for connecting said test desk to individual ones of said lines, a relay operable under control of said test desk for controlling the idle or busy condition of a line in case said test desk is connected to an idle one of said lines, another relay operated in case said test desk is connected to a busy line,

means responsive to the operation of said other relay for extending a busy signal to said test desk, a power source, means operable under control of said test desk for operating said first relay, and means responsive to the operation of said first relay and effective in oase said other relay is operated for connecting said power source to a line to which said test desk is connected.

5. In a telephone system, a line, switching equipment releasably connected to said line, test equipment, means for connecting said test equipment to said line, two relays operated in case said test equipment is connected to said line, means jointly controlled by said relays for releasing said switching equipment from said line, and means for preventing the re-connection of said switching equipment to said line, said last means being automatically operated responsive to the release of said switching equipment from said line.

6. In a telephone system, a line, switching equipment connected to said line, testing equip- 70 ment and means for connecting it to said line, a busy test relay and a control relay operated in case said test equipment is connected to said line, control means including said two relays operable for releasing said switching equipment in case said test equipment is connected to said line, another relay, and means including said three relays for preventing the reconnection of said switching equipment to said line, said last means automatically operated in case said switching equipment is released from said line responsive to the operation of said control means.

'7. In a telephone system, a control conductor, two control relays, an impulsing relay, an impulse sender having a normal position, a power source, test conductors, a switch, one of said control relays operative for completing a circuit from said impulsing relay to said impulse sender, said one control relay being operative over said control conductor responsive to the movement of said impulse sender from normal position, the other of said control relays being operative for controlling the connection of said power` source to said test conductors, said other control relay being operative over said control conductor responsive to the operation of said switch.

8. In a telephone system, a power source, a line, a busy condition for said line, switching equipment, means for associating said switching equipment with said line, a relay, means for operating said relay in response to the busy condition of said line, means responsive to the operation of said relay for connecting said powei` source to said line, means forl releasing said switching equipment, and means for further cperating said relay in response to the release of said switching equipment to disconnect said power source from said line.

9. In a telephone system, a line, means for making said line busy and for indicating the busy condition of the line, test equipment, means for connecting the test equipment to said line, a busy test relay operated responsive to the connection of the test equipment to said line in case it is busy, a power source, means for connecting said power source to a busy line to remove the busy condition therefrom, and contacts on said busy test relay for controlling the connection of said power source to a busy line.

10. In a telephone system, lines, individual control conductors for said lines, a power source, a pole having one potential in said power source, a relay, means for operating said relay to connect said pole to the control conductor of a line to mark said line, switching equipment, means for connecting said equipment to one of said lines, means for releasing said equipment, means responsive to the connection of said equipment to a line to connect said pole to the control conductor of said line, and means for operating said relay to control the connection of said power source to a line to release switching equipment connected thereto, said last mentioned means being effective in case said pole is connected to the control conductor of a line responsive to the connection of switching equipment thereto.

FRANK KESSLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,301,837 Wiley et al. Nov. 10, 1942 2,371,989 Griins et al. Mar. 20, 1945 2,479,276 Taylor Aug. 16, 1949 

